Key guard



Jun; 12, 1928. K 1,673,646

J. c. SPENCE. JR

KEY GUARD Filed Dec. 5, 192v I Joseph ag encefln Iii ettl

Patented June 12, 1928.

UNITED STATES JOSEPH C. SPENCE, JR., OF ELIZABETH CITY, NORTH CAROLINA.

KEY GUARD.

Application filed December 5. 1927.

My invention relates to a guard for preventing a lock from being picked or a key from being turned in the lock or worked out of the same from the side opposite that on which the key is mounted.

it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this character of simple and ins expensive construction and which will not only prevent a key from being removed from the lock by holding it fixed, but will also block or close the keyhole, all as will be hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which are made a part hereof and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts,

Figure l is a side elevation illustrating one application of my invention, the door being shown in section, and

Figure 2, a perspective.

in the drawings reference character indicates a door provided with a lock of the mortise type with a keyhole or keyway 11 in which is disposed a key 12 having a head As is customary, the key 12 fits loosely in the lock and by turning the key the door is locked or unlocked. WVhen the door is locked on the inside the key is usually left in the position shown in Fig. 1. At times persons with evil intentions desire to gain admission to the room and insert instruments from the outside through the keyhole and turn the key in the lock and push it out of the keyhole whereupon a skeleton key or like instrument is used to unlock the door.

My device contemplates the maintenance of the key in position in the lock and comprises a substantially yoke-shaped door engaging body or plate 14 having a slot 15 to permit free access to the keyhole. The lower side edges of the plate 14 are provided with extensions 16 which are turned inwardly and overlie a substantially T- shaped keyhole closing slide 17 The slide .17 is provided with a slot 18 through which extends a screw 19 in the body 1 t for securing the keyhole closing slide 17 in fixed position. The upper end of the body 14 has side portions bent in parallel relation substantially at right angles to the body to form a yoke for the reception of a pin 21 which forms a pivot upon which is also mounted a similar yoke 22 carried by the body which body has an arm 24 which Serial No. 237,865.

extends perpendicularly to the body in a direction opposite the yoke 22 and serves as a support for a key engaging member 25 slidably mounted thereon. The key engaging member has its outer end 26 upturned at right angles to the body 25 and is provided with a slot 27 through which the arm 2st slides and is also provided with a central perforation 28, hereinafter more fully described.

A central projection 29 is struck up from the body 25 and is disposed in a position parallel to the end member 26 and at right angles to the arm 2%, said member being provided with a perforation 30 in alinement with the perforation 28. The inner end of the key engaging member 25 is loifurcated or is provided with spaced projections 31 which are turned downwardly at right angles to the body 25 and parallel to the elements 26 and 29, such spaced projections 31 being adapted to engage the head of a key. I

In order to apply a pulling pressure or tension to the key, means is provided for sliding the body 25 longitudinally outward upon the supporting arm 2st and such means comprises a screw shaft or bolt 32 which extends longitudinally in parallel relation with thearm 24 through apertures 28, 30 and 34 in the elements 26, 29 and and is provided with a head 33 which rests against the body 14; on its inner side, the outer smooth side of the body 14 being pressed against the door. A nut 35 having a knurled surface is threaded on the bolt 32 between the upturned portions 26 and 29 and is adapted to be rotated for moving the element 25 longitudinally into and out of engagement with the head of the key.

It will be readily understood that on account of the pivotal connection between the members let and 23 a key may be engaged which is not disposed at right angles to the door.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in my device without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I, therefore, do not limit myself to what is shown in the drawing-s and described in the specification, but only as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what 1 claim as new and desire. to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination of a plate adapted to engage a door about a keyhole, an arm pivoted to said body, a key engaging yoke slidable on said arm, a shaft engaging saidbody and extending through said key engaging yoke, a nut threaded on said shaft for moving the key engaging yoke longitudinally of said arm, a slide carried by said body movable into position to close the keyhole, and means for securing said slide in fixed position, substantially as settorth.

2. The combination of a plate for engage ment with a door about a keyhole, of an arm pivoted to said body and extending outwardly in a plane at right angles thereto, a key engaging member having a pair of spaced projections, one of said projections being provided with a slot through which said arm extends, a threaded shaft extending through said spaced projections and engaging said body, a nut mounted on said shaft between said spar-ed projections and ada 'itedto be operated for moving the key engaging member longitudinally of the shaft, said arm 'upon which the key engaging member is slidable'being pivoted to permit engagement of a key'disposed at an acute angle',and a'kcyhole'cover adjustably carried by saic hbody, substantially as set forth.

8. Thecombination of a plate for engagement with ether about akeyhole, of an arm pivoted to said body and extending outwardly in a plane at right angles thereto, a key engaging member having a pair of spaced projections, one of said projections being provided witlra slot through which saidfarm extends, a threaded shaft extendin'gfthrough saidspaced projections andengaging said body, and a nut mounted on said shaft between said spaced projections and adapted to-be operated formoving the key engaging member longitudinally of the shaft, said arm upon which the key engaging member is slidable being pivoted to permit engagement 01 a key disposed at an acute angle, substantially as set forth.

4-. The coi'nbination of a plate for engagement with a door about a keyhole, of an arm pivoted to said body and extending outwardly in a plane at right angles thereto, a key engaging member having a pair of spaced projections, one of said projections being provided with a slot through which said arm extends, a threaded shaft extending through said spaced projections and engaging said body, a nut mounted on said shalt between said spaced projections and adapted to be operated for moving the key engaging member longitudinally of the shaft, said arm-upon which the key engaging member isslidable being pivoted to pern'iit engagement of a key disposed at an acute angle, akcyhole cover adjustably carried by said body, and means for securing the keyhole cover in adjusted position, substantially as set forth.

5. A guard comprising-a plate for engagement with a door about the keyhole, an arm pivoted to said body and extending .out- \vardly substantially at right angles to said body, a key engaging member adjustably supported on said arm, said body having side portions 'inturucd and disposed in spaced relation, a keyhole cover slide received in said overlying portion, and means for securing said keyhole cover slidein fixed position, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof, I have 'hereunto'set my hand atEliZabeth City, North Carolina, this thirtieth day of November, A. D. nine teen hundred andtwenty-seven.

JOSEPH'C. SPENOE, Jn. 

